Gun-carriage.



No. 698,049. 'Patented Apr. 22, I902.

- H. P. OSBORN.

GU N CARRlAGE.

Applicntion filed May 21, 1898f- (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet l.

WITNESEEYS Q \NVENTUR wmww No. 698,049. Patented Apr. 22, I902.

H. P. USBORN.

GUN CARRIAGE.

' Application filed May 21. 1898.

(No Model.) I 4 Sheets-Sheet WITNESSES v INVENTDR Patented Apr. 22,I902;

H. P. WSBURN.

GUN CARRMGE.

Aiwplicn.

tion filed May 21, 1898';

4 Sheeis Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

WITNESSES INVENTDR Patented Apr. 22, I902. H-. P. QSBORN.

GUN CARRIAGE.

(Application filed May 21. 1898.3

4 SheeIs-Sheei 4.

(No Model.) I

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INVENTUR W6? UNITED "STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

IIEXRY r. osnons, or new YORK, N. Y.

Gun-CARRI GE.

SPECIFICATQON' forming part of Letters Patent No. 698,049, dated April22, 1902.

Application filed May 21, 1898. Serial No. 681.398. (No model.)

To (1.7] 7I']II)7II i/ ////r IUIIII'I'ZL.

Beit known that I, HENRY PORTER OsBoax,

' acitizen of the United-States, residing at New York, in the county ofNew York and State of New York, have invented new and usefulShield-Protected Automobile Gun-Carriages, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to improvements in shield-protected andmotor-propelled guncarriages where a wide hollow wheel with a flangeprojecting laterally to the tread otthe wheel and toward its mate wheelis fitted with meanssuch as electric, steam, or any other form ofmotorfor propelling the carriage, and also serves as a shield auxiliaryin protecting the gunners from the enemys fire, and also in protectingthe propellingmeans or motors from said 'enemys fire; and the objects ofmy improvements are, first, to shield the men at the guns from the fireof the enemy; second, to provide a secure place for the means,machinery, or motors for propelling the carriage; third, to furnish aplatform on whichthe gunners may ride and fire on the enemy while thecarriage is in motion,

thus furnishing a movable target instead of 'eitheranimals,steam,electricity, orany other a stationary one; fourth, to envelop' thegunners and guns in a metallic inclosure, which shall give protection togun, gunners, and propelling mechanism or motor from e'xploding shellsand high explosives; fifth, to use convenient means of propulsion in themoving. of the guns and carriages from one place to another place. Iattain these objects by the mechanisms illustrated in the accom panyingdrawings, in which- 7 Figure 1 is a plan view of a shield-protected,tread-projected, hollow-wheel gun-carriage. Fig. v2 is a section view ofthe same carriage shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3'is asectional view of ashield-protected gun-carriage which has a vention is protection to gunand gunners from the fire of the enemy. This is accomplished by thecombineduse of a hollow wide, wheel having its tread or felly projectingtoward its mate wheel and its distal side or end closed and a shield Bplacedv before these wheels with their mesially-projecti'ng broadtreads.

The hollow wheel A and the shield D,- 1 constructfrom the bestshot-proof steel known to the arts. The broad hollow wheel A has itsouterend closed, and itsinnermesialend thatis, the end facing its matewheel-is open, partly inclosing the gunner while firing. The two hollowwheels A are united by an axle F, which inmost cases is bent downward,passing underneath the standing-platform G. This standing-platform Clies between the two wheels A A, has wings extending within theflange-like extension of the fellyot the wheels A A, and protrudes infront and in back of the wheels A A.

The front extension of the standing-platform Chas attached the shield Dand the back.

extension has attached a thirdor steer wheel 1- which is pivotallyconnected with the standing-platform O. In Fig. 3 this standingplatformC is continued up in front of the wheels A A, over their tops and back,and down over both thesides and back of the rear extension of thestandingplatform, forming, as it were, a box around the gunners, thehollow wheels-forming a part of that box by means of theirlaterally-extended rims and distally-closed ends.

In Figs. 1, 2 no top and side shown except that given bythe hollowwheels, which are made broad and deep. by the lateral extension of thistread or tire portion,

protection is which extension also serves to hold the motive' machinery,such as electrical and any other form of motor, in a protectinginclosure. denoted by motor-space G,

For the purpose of traveling over the trol- Icy-roads of the country Ican secure two car riages together, and by either removing the thirdwheel-from each carriage or by elevating it above rail-contact form afour-wheel truck, which can'be made to travel the rails by attachingflanges to the wheels, and its motive power can he gathered from thetrol- IOO all

ley-wires after the manner of an ordinary trolleycar.

\Vhile I intend to use principally animals, electricity, steam,petroleum, with their requisite and proper motors for converting thesevarious energies into motion, still any convenient method of propulsioncan be used whose motor can be operated in the motorspace G andconnected to drive the large wheels A A, the kind of power employeddepending upon the election of those in authority. \Vhere animals areused, they walk behind the carriage and push it in front of them,advanei ng with the guns playing on the enemy, in which case thesteer-wheel B is used to guide the carriage; but when the movementis aretreat the steer-wheel is not so much in use as a guide. Still it maybeused to aid the rapid turning of the carriage.

I prefer to arrange the shield l) at a deflective angle to more readilyturn the enemys shot, and where the carriages are intended for usebehind brcastworks I place the shield D above the center of the largewheels, as is shown in Fig. 3.

The width of the wheels and their distance apart is, a matter of mereselection to be determined by experience and judgment of militaryauthorities.

Heretofore guns on carriages have been moved with their breechadvancing. My gunca'rriage is intended to be moved with the muzzles ofthe guns advancing, so that they can fire while advancing.

E shows the gun; F the axle, which may be either straight or bent topass below the standing-platform O or above the gunners head, asdesired.

H denotes any form of steering apparatus desired, a lever being hereshown; but any convenient apparatus can be employed.

Q shows electric motor, ga-solene, kerosene, or any convenient form ofmotor, such as compressed air or the like.

M shows poles for attaching horses, mules, or other animals for pushingwhen advancing or pulling when retreating. The animals walk behind thecarriage, pushing it in front of them when the carriage isvadvancing andis then turned by the steer-wheel l3,which guides the horses, anddragging it after them when it is retreating, at which time thesteer-wheel B is but little used, the muzzles ot' the guns in both casesbeing pointed toward the enemy. This feature is of great importance incase of a charge in which a steady tire is desired d uring the chargeand during the retreat. This arrangement of the draft-animals places thecarriage, with its shield, between the animals and the enemys tire,protecting them, as well as the gunners and guns.

ating mechanism can be used on 'guns when they are mounted on my form ofcarriage.

In placing my shields disposition is so made of the shield and of thethickness of metal as nearest of any at right angles to the project ilescourse. The V shape of the shield gives upward and downward detlectiontoan onconiing projectile. I extend the shield above and below the \vheclscenter sufficient to leave the exposed portions of the wheel adefiective inclined surface to the course of the oncoming shot of theenemy. \Vhere possible, I place the motor Q, with its machinery, behindthe thicker portions of the shield D, which aids the hollow end-closedwheels A A in guarding it from harm.

\Vhere the large wheels A A are very deep, as in Fig. 4, I partition oh?the motor-space G for the purpose of giving greater protection to themotor Q and also to strengthen and stiffen the wheels A A. This inclosedspace jserves to hold the storage batteries when the storage system ofelectrical 'supplyis used,-

from which batteries the electricity is conveyed to the motors forpropelling purposes.

I am aware that prior to my invention shields have been used ongun-carriages. I therefore do not broadly claim the sole use of a shieldon a gun-carriage; but

What I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The combination in a gun-carriage of a pair of hollow wheels whichhave their distal ends closed and their tires or treads mesiallyextended, with a riding-platform having lat-- eral extensions .withi'nthe wheels and a posterier extension between the wheels for theattachment of a third wheel.

2. In a gun-carriage, the combination of a pair of hollow wheels, whichhave their distal ends closed and their-tires or treads mesiallyextended, a COIEIICChlIIg-EIXlG, and a platform with lateral extensionswithin the wheels and a posterior extension between the wheels for theattachment of a third wheel substantially as described.

3. In a gun-carriage, the combination of a pair of hollow w ieels whichhave their distal ends closed and their tires or treads mesiallyextended for motorand man protection, a connecting-axle, a pla formsupported by said axle which platform has lateral extensions within thewheels a posterior extension for the attachment of a third or steerwheel and an anterior extension for the attachment of a shot-shield, anda shot-shield extending across Ice and infront of the space between thewheels and in front of the wheels for motor and man protection,substantially as described.

4. In a motor-actuated gun-carriage, the combination of a disk-likewheel having mesial extension of its tire or trend, and an electrical orother form of motor protectively arranged within the hollow of saidwheel as a means-of motor protection, substantially asdescribed.

5. In a gun-carriage, the combination of a pair of hollow wheels havingtheir distal ends closed and their tires or treads inesially extendedfor motor and man protection, an electrical or other motor protectivelyarranged within said wheel or wheels,substantially as described.

(5. In a gun-carriage, the combination of a pair of axially-connectedhollow wheels having their distal ends closed and their tires or treadsmesially extended for motor andman protection, an electrical or othermotor protectively arranged within said wheel or wheels, and aconnecting-axle, substantially as described.

7. In a gun-carriage, the combination of'a pair of axially-connectedhollow wheels having their distalends closed and their tires or treadsmesially extended for motor and man protection,-an electrical or othermotor protectively arranged within said wheel or wheels, aconnecting-axle, a standing or riding platform supported by said axleand havinglateral extensions within the hollow of the wheels a posteriorextension between the wheels for the attachme'nt of a third wheel and ananterior extension between the wheels for the attachment of ashot-shield substantially as described.

8. In a gun-carriage, the combination of a pair of axially-connectedhollow wheels having their distal ends closed and their tires or treadsmesially extended for motor and man protection, an electrical or othermotor protectively arranged within said wheel or wheels,a-connecting-axle, a standing or riding platform supported by said axleand having lateral extensions within the hollow of the wheels aposterior extension between the wheels, for the attachment of a thirdwheel and an anterior extension between the wheels for the attachment ofan armor-shield, and an anteriorlyplaced armor-shield which bridges thespace between the wheels and overlaps the mesially-projecting tread ofthe hollow wheels, substantially as described.

9. In a gun-carriage, the combination of a pair of axially-connectedhollow wheels having their distal ends closed and their tires or treadsmesially extended for motor and man protection, an electrical or othermotor protectively arranged within said wheel or wheels, aconnecting-axle, a standing or riding platform supported by said axleand havin g Iateralextensions within the hollow of the wheels aposterior extension between the wheels for the attachment of a thirdwheel terior]y-placedarmor-shield which bridges the space between thewheels and overlaps-the mesially-projectingtread of thehollow wheels,

and a third wheel pivotally connected with the standing-platform,substantially as described.

mesial extension of its tire or tread, an elec-.

trical or other form of motor protectivelyarranged within the hollow ofsaid wheel as a means of motor protection, and an anteriorlyplacedshield as a further means of motor and man protection, substantialiy asdescribed;

12. In a gun-carriage, the combination of an armor-shield whichbridgesthe space lietween a pair of hollow tub-like wheels and overlapsthe extended tread of the tub-like wheels, and a standing or ridingplatform which has an anterior extension for the attachment of theshield a posterior extension and lateral extensions which platform thehollows. of the tub-like wheels substantially as described.

13. In a gun-carriage, the combination of a pair of tub-like wheels, aconnecting-axle, an

electrical or other motor placed protectively within the wheels and inoperative relation therewith, a standing-platform within the wheels andbridgin g the space between them, a shield placed anterior to the wheelsand to the space between them, and a third wheel, substantially asdescribed.-

l-l. In a gun-carriage, the combination of a pair of axially-connectedhollow wheels which have their distal ends closed their tires or treadsmesially extended and a partition within the extended tread which withthe closed end and extended tread forms a motorprotection space, and anelectrical or other motor operatively connected with said wheel withinsaid space, substantially asdescribed.

15. In a gun-carriage, the combination of a pair of hollow wheels whichhave their distal ends closed and their tires or treads mesiallyextended for motor and man protection, a connecting-axle,a platformbelow the center of the wheels which is supported by the axle and hasextensions within the hollow of the wheels an extension forward betweenthe wheels supporting an anteriorly-placed shield and aposteriorextension, poles-or shafts for animal attachment, substantiallyas described.

16. In a gun-carriage, the combination of a pair of hollow wheels withdistallyclosed ends and mesia'lly-extended treads, an axle, anelectrical motor and a storage battery arranged so as to be protected bytheextended' tread and closed endof the wheel, a platform supported bythe axle and placed below the center of the wheels which has an anteriorextension which supports a shield a posterior extension which connectswith a third Wheel and lateral extensions behind the extended treads ofthe wheels, and a grin above said platform, substantially as described.

17. In a gun-carriage, the combination of a pair of hollow wheels withdistally-closed ends and mesially-extended treads, and a third. orsteerwheel in pivotal connection with a standing-platform which. projectsinto the hollow of the wheels, substantially as described.

18. In a motor-actuated gun-carriage, the combination of a disk likewheel having mesial extension of its tire or tread, an electrical orother form of motor protectively ar ranged within the hollow of saidwheel as a means of motor protection, a wheel-spacebridging andwheel-tread-coverin g shield as a means of motor and man protection, anda riding-platform which is carried by the disk like tread-extendedwheel, substantially as described.

19. In a motor-actuated gun-carriage, the combination of a disklikewheel having mesial extension of-its tire or tread, an electrical orother form of motor protectively arranged within. the hollow of saidwheel as a means of motor protection, a wheel-spacebridging andwheel-tread-covering shield as a means of motor and man protection, aridingplatform which is carried by the disk-like tread-extended wheel,and a pivotally-connected steering-wheel, substantially as described.

20. In a motor-actuated gun-carriage, the combination of a disk-likewheel, having mesial extension of its tire or tread, an elec-' trical orother form of motor protectively ar ranged Within the hollow of saidwheel as a means of motor protection, a wheel-spacebridging andwheel-tread-covering shield as a means of motor and man protection, arid ing-platform which is carried by the disklike tread-extended wheel,a pivotally-connected steering-wheel, and an armored roof or canopybridging the space between a pair of disk-like tread-extended wheels,substantially as described.

HENRY P. OSBORN.

Witnesses:

LILLIAN. A. BARrHoLoMEw, M. J. LINZELL.

